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Lakers: 2 closing lineups when LeBron James and Anthony Davis return

By Jason Reed

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 10: Kyle Kuzma #0,Anthony Davis #3 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on from the bench in the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on April 10, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 10: Kyle Kuzma #0,Anthony Davis #3 and LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on from the bench in the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on April 10, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

Route 2: Los Angeles Lakers add defense

The first name that might come to mind to replace Drummond in the closing lineup is Montrezl Harrell. Harrell is a beast on offense near the rim and could play a 4/5 hybrid with Anthony Davis guarding the other team’s best big.

While that is a fine option, Harrell is not a good enough defender to put in crunch time. Remember early on in the season when the Portland Trail Blazers put him in a blender with the pick-and-roll in crunch time? That will happen again in the NBA Playoffs.

Instead, the Lakers get a bit smaller and add a defensive wizard to the closing lineup: Alex Caruso. Caruso is one of the most underappreciated players in the NBA and is one of the best defensive wings as well.

This gives the Lakers the best shot against a team that has multiple playmakers on the perimeter. Caruso could guard one of Kawhi Leonard or Paul George with LeBron James guarding the other. Schroder and KCP get the backcourt and Davis guards the big.

If you are not sold on this lineup consider this: that five-man lineup is the best five-man lineup the Lakers have run this season. They have played only 32 minutes together and have a +49.2 point differential.

It is the sixth-best five-man lineup in terms of net points/48 minutes in the NBA this season.

Next. 50 greatest Lakers of all-time. dark

Kyle Kuzma has taken big strides this season and that definitely deserves to be recognized but he still does not belong in the Lakers’ closing lineup.

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